Three of those were their own players: defensive tackle Randy Starks, wide receiver Brian Hartline and safety Chris Clemons. Five are from other teams: wide receivers Mike Wallace (Pittsburgh) and Brandon Gibson (St. Louis), tight end Dustin Keller (New York Jets), and linebackers Dannell Ellerbe (Baltimore) and Philip Wheeler (Oakland).

So, what's the next step?

It's anyone's guess how the Dolphins will approach the rest of free agency. They probably have between $10 million and $13 million to spend right now, but could create more space by restructuring contracts or signing Starks, who carries the franchise tag, to a long-term deal.

Right now, the draft seems the most likely option for bringing in talented players to fill their remaining needs, except at left tackle, where Jake Long's return becomes more of a possibility each day.

Long left St. Louis after a three-day visit without a contract, and Miami is thought to be strongly back in the picture.

Draft-wise, general manager Jeff Ireland believes in the "best player available" philosophy.

"It's early in the process," he said at the NFL Combine in February, "but that's obviously the first goal, you'd like to take best player available. But it depends on what you do in free agency, it depends on some of your needs, and depends on what's there when you take the pick."

The Dolphins have holes at cornerback, offensive line and pass-rushing defensive end primarily, and then perhaps tight end and safety because Keller and Clemons are on one-year contracts.

The Dolphins have the 12th pick of the first round, two picks in the second round and two in the third round.

In the first round, Florida State cornerback Xavier Rhodes could be available. On the offensive line, Oklahoma offensive tackle Lane Johnson, Alabama guard Chance Warmack or North Carolina guard Jonathan Cooper may be around, but it's tough to see Miami selecting a guard at No. 12.

Among pass rushers, Florida State defensive end Bjoern Werner and BYU defensive end Ziggy Ansah could be available.

Fortunately for the Dolphins, the draft is fairly strong through three rounds in their areas of need.

As for free agency, Long could help settle the offensive line search if he re-signs. If Long returns, he'll likely take most, if not all, of the available free agency money and the Dolphins are probably done shopping.

Even if Long comes back, the Dolphins may still want to bring in training-camp competition for right guard John Jerry.

Miami also needs someone to replace cornerback Sean Smith, who signed with Kansas City.

The Dolphins have already hosted Atlanta cornerback Brent Grimes, who played in the Pro Bowl after the 2010 season. Grimes sustained a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener. He had six interceptions in 2009 and five in 2010, the last seasons he was healthy.

As for Miami's off-season goal of acquiring "play makers," or "difference makers," Ireland reminded that several positions can carry that title.

"I look at difference makers in the offensive line, defensive line, maybe there's a safety there," he said. "Maybe your vision of a difference maker is not the same vision that I have. I think there's good depth in the draft."